School Needs Assessment Study

The Towns of Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley, along with the Devens Enterprise Commission, MassDevelopment, the Ayer Shirley Regional School District, and Harvard Public Schools, are seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a comprehensive School Needs Assessment with a total estimated budget of $80,000, consisting of $58,000 for core services and a $22,000 contingency. The study requires analysis of enrollment trends, demographic shifts, housing growth, school facility utilization, and long-term capacity projections under future development scenarios. Key deliverables include an Enrollment Study, School Building Assessment, Capacity Analysis, a final School Needs Assessment Report, a prioritized project list, an implementation roadmap, an executive summary presentation, and public dissemination of findings—all to be delivered in both electronic and printable formats. The project is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2026, with a draft report due January 15, 2027, a final report due February 15, 2027, and a public presentation in late February or early March 2027. Proposals must be submitted as two sealed hard copies—separate envelopes for the non-price and price sections—to the Town of Shirley’s administrative office by 2:00 PM on August 13, 2026; electronic submissions are not permitted. Evaluation is based on a weighted trade-off process, with the most significant criteria being Relevant Experience and Qualifications (30%), Project Approach and Methodology (30%), and Understanding of Scope and Regional Issues (20%), followed by Cost Proposal (15%) and References (5%). Proposers must include detailed resumes of key personnel, descriptions of firm qualifications, a comprehensive project methodology, at least three relevant project references, and mandatory certifications: a Certificate of Non-Collusion and a Tax Compliance Certificate. No federal acquisition regulations apply; the procurement follows Massachusetts state guidelines, with funding sourced from a Housing Choice Grant administered by the Commonwealth through agency code 2e8847e7. The Town of Shirley’s Town Administrator, Bryan Sawyer, serves as the primary point of contact, and all deliverables must be submitted to 7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA 01464.